Innovative matcha drink secures M&S listing

The brand’s Ginger & Turmeric flavour is now available in Marks & Spencer nationwide

An instant matcha drink imported from the US has won listings in more than 250 Marks & Spencer (M&S) stores.

Matcha Now, a twist and shake ceremonial-grade matcha, arrived in the UK at the end of 2017.

The brand’s Ginger & Turmeric flavour is now available in M&S outlets throughout the country, including multiple stores in London, Liverpool, Canterbury, Brighton and Newcastle. It followed the listing of the original Pure Matcha flavour in M&S in September.

Matcha Now also comes in two other variants – Peppermint, and Lightly Sweet.

Matcha is known to have 137 times the antioxidant power of regular green tea. However, pre-mixed matcha can lose its potency through oxidisation during the production process.

Twist-cap technology​

The makers of Matcha Now looked to overcome this through the application of patented twist-cap technology.

The innovation keeps the matcha in a compartment in the top of the bottle, separate from the water below. When the cap is twisted, the powder releases into the water.

Matcha Now UK founder Janine Marshall said the continued expansion in M&S was a “huge achievement”​ for the brand.

“It's been a whirlwind since we officially brought Matcha Now to the UK in 2017, and to be on the shelves of M&S stores in our second year is a feat that could not make us prouder,”​ Marshall said.

“With their health-conscious shoppers, M&S has the perfect target audience for our innovative twist-n-shake matcha and, with matcha becoming ever more popular of late, it’s a great time to showcase our drink.​

‘No-nasties beverage’​

“We will be located in the food-to-go section, offering a clean, energy-boosting, no-nasties beverage for customers to enjoy alongside M&S’s delicious lunch options.” ​

Matcha contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which binds to caffeine, promoting a slower release of energy.

Studies have shown matcha offers a variety of health benefits around metabolism, concentration, stress and quality of sleep.

Matcha Now is vegan friendly, gluten-free, non-genetically-modified, and is free of taurine or preservatives. The brand is also stocked in Harrods, Planet Organic and Wholefoods.